PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Krunoslav Slabinac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryu Hoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Slabinac
vs
Hoshi

190 cm
20
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
199 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

[MMABR]: Vaninico's Nutrition
[MMABR]: Vaninico's Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Krunoslav Slabinac!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryu Hoshi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slabinac looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hoshi is fending him off so far but Slabinac persists. Nope, Hoshi circles away and we're back to standing.
Hoshi tries to clinch but Slabinac is having none of it.
Hoshi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Slabinac shoots in but no luck this time.
Hoshi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Slabinac.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krunoslav Slabinac. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Slabinac is defended easily by Hoshi.
Hoshi moves in looking to clinch but Slabinac pushes him off.

Slabinac darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hoshi looks like he's trying to stand up.
Slabinac is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Slabinac prevents Hoshi from standing back up.
Slabinac content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshi wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Slabinac is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Hoshi is looking to escape.
Hoshi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Slabinac. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hoshi is not content to let Slabinac control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Hoshi as Slabinac shoots in.

Slabinac feints and as Hoshi raises his hands in defense, Slabinac changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Slabinac controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slabinac looking to pass the guard.
Hoshi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hoshi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Slabinac trying to control but Hoshi is working from the bottom.
Slabinac stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hoshi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Slabinac not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Slabinac is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Slabinac is breathing heavily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hoshi is looking to stand up but Slabinac isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hoshi doesn't manage to clinch there - Slabinac circles away.
Hoshi tries to clinch but Slabinac moves out of range.
Slabinac misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hoshi.
Slabinac keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slabinac shoots in looking for a takedown. Hoshi tries to sprawl out of it but Slabinac keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Hoshi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Slabinac misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hoshi staying out of range there.
Hoshi tries to clinch up but Slabinac circles away and keeps his distance.
Slabinac fails with the takedown.
Slabinac circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hoshi tries to clinch there but Slabinac circles away.
Slabinac circles away from the clinch attempt.
Slabinac changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hoshi tries to avoid it but Slabinac manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hoshi to the ground. Hoshi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Slabinac gets the takedown into side control.
Hoshi is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Slabinac asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Slabinac is staying tight to Hoshi's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshi pushes Slabinac away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Slabinac gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Slabinac in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Slabinac thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Slabinac prevents Hoshi from escaping the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hoshi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Slabinac shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hoshi defends it nicely.
Hoshi tries to close the distance and clinch but Slabinac swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Slabinac tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hoshi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Slabinac somewhat.
Hoshi fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hoshi closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krunoslav Slabinac dominated that round.
That's time! Slabinac's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hoshi tries to clinch but Slabinac moves out of range.
Slabinac dives in and grabs Hoshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hoshi pushes down on Slabinac's head and hops out.

Hoshi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Slabinac drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hoshi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Slabinac shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hoshi sprawls well. Hoshi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Slabinac gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krunoslav Slabinac. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoshi wants to clinch.
Slabinac shoots in but no luck this time.
Slabinac misses with a looping right.

Slabinac shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hoshi's guard.
Hoshi wants to get back to his feet but Slabinac is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slabinac sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hoshi's guard.
Hoshi scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Slabinac manages to mount him!
Hoshi wants to get back to his feet.
Slabinac controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Slabinac trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Slabinac controlling the position easily from mount.
Hoshi is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Slabinac controlling his opponent.
Hoshi is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Slabinac thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Slabinac takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshi trying desperately to get to his feet.
Slabinac trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Slabinac controlling his opponent.
Slabinac looking to control but Hoshi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Krunoslav Slabinac just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Hoshi is looking to clinch.
Slabinac misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Slabinac misses with a wild body shot.
Slabinac shoots in for a takedown but Hoshi shows good takedown defense.
Hoshi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Slabinac swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoshi.
Hoshi stuffs the takedown attempt from Slabinac. Slabinac gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hoshi tries to clinch up but Slabinac circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice sprawl there from Hoshi as Slabinac shoots in.
Slabinac keeps the fight on the outside.

Hoshi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Slabinac, pushing him back against the ropes.
Hoshi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slabinac blocks it with crossed arms.
Hoshi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Slabinac.
Hoshi tries to land a knee to the head but Slabinac blocks with his arms.
Hoshi looking to throw knees to the head but Slabinac is blocking nicely.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hoshi obliges.
Hoshi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slabinac blocks it with crossed arms.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hoshi unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Slabinac takes an elbow to the temple.
Hoshi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ryu Hoshi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Hoshi rushes Slabinac and presses him up against the ropes.
Hoshi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slabinac blocks it with crossed arms.
Hoshi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Slabinac has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hoshi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hoshi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshi lands a knee to the head.
Slabinac tries to score a body lock takedown but Hoshi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hoshi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Slabinac avoids it.
Hoshi misses with a knee strike.
Hoshi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoshi tries a knee to the head but Slabinac blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoshi lands a damaging elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hoshi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Slabinac blocks it with crossed arms.
Slabinac is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krunoslav Slabinac. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoshi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hoshi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Slabinac has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Slabinac tightens his grip and picks Hoshi up, before dumping him to the ground. Hoshi manages to land in guard.
Slabinac stops Hoshi from standing up.
Slabinac is stalling in the full guard.
Slabinac stops Hoshi from standing up.
Hoshi is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Slabinac slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Slabinac won't allow Hoshi to get back to his feet.
Slabinac sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hoshi wants to stand up but Slabinac is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slabinac seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Slabinac wants to control from the top but Hoshi keeps moving.
Slabinac trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Slabinac prevents Hoshi from getting back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hoshi stuffs the takedown attempt from Slabinac. Slabinac gets slowly back to his feet.
Hoshi tries to clinch up.
Hoshi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Slabinac swinging wilding here.

Hoshi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Slabinac goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hoshi prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hoshi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Slabinac tries to pull guard but Hoshi holds him up against the ropes and eventually Slabinac drops back down to his feet.
Slabinac on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Slabinac fails to pull guard.
Hoshi tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Slabinac drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hoshi tries a knee to the head but Slabinac blocks it.
Slabinac looking for a takedown.
Slabinac takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hoshi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Slabinac avoiding damage as Hoshi throws knees to the body.
Hoshi throws a knee to the head but misses.
Slabinac tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hoshi smiles and moves away.
Ryu Hoshi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hoshi wants to clinch up but Slabinac keeps it at a distance.
Slabinac closes the distance and clinches up with Hoshi, looking for a takedown. Slabinac pushes Hoshi against the ropes but Hoshi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hoshi tries to close the distance and clinch but Slabinac swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ryu Hoshi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hoshi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Slabinac paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hoshi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hoshi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Slabinac.
Hoshi is looking to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Slabinac is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hoshi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Slabinac avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hoshi tries to clinch up but Slabinac circles away and keeps his distance.
Slabinac avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hoshi tries to clinch but Slabinac is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryu Hoshi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hoshi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Krunoslav Slabinac!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Krunoslav Slabinac!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Krunoslav Slabinac!

Krunoslav Slabinac wins by unanimous decision!